Close, But No Cigar

FOOTBALL 2004 - BUCCANEERS - BUCCANEERS PREVIEW SIDELINE CHATTER

August 27, 2004|By Chris Harry, Sentinel Staff Writer

Remember that 21-point lead with less than five minutes to go that evaporated at the hands of Indianapolis in the biggest comeback (or worst choke job, depending on your vantage point) in NFL history? Bottom line: the Bucs lost five games by three points or less last season and dropped seven when leading or tied in the fourth quarter. This year, they need to get back to slamming the door.

LIKE A FINE WINE

If WR Tim Brown, 38, cracks the starting lineup, the Bucs will trot out a projected starting lineup on offense that averages 32.5 years of age by season's end. That's not only the oldest in the NFL (not close, either), it's got to be one of the oldest in league history.

GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Kicker Martin "Automatica" Gramatica fell far short of living up to his nickname last season. Gramatica went 16-for-26 on field goals. Those numbers need to change. Gramatica took the first step toward doing so. After wearing No. 7 through his first five seasons, he switched to No. 10 for '04.

HITTING THE CENTURY MARK

Brown enters '04 with 1,070 career receptions. He needs 32 to move past Cris Carter (1,101) into second on the all-time list behind only Jerry Rice (1,519). Brown, with 99 TD catches in his 16 previous seasons, needs one more to become the fourth player -- joining Rice (194), Carter (130) and Steve Largent (100) -- in league history with 100.